Dec 25, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) dribbles in front of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Bleacher Report’s ‘tough question’ for Knicks is an obvious one
The New York Knicks remain in an interesting position entering the 2023-24 season. This time last year, New York was in trade conversations with Utah for Donovan Mitchell, but the Knicks decided not to go all-in on the star player. This summer was thought to be when New York could make its big move, but the front office has stayed patient.
Joel Embiid is the player that sits atop the Knicks’ dream trade target list, and the idea of the reigning MVP requesting a trade from the Sixers sometime in the next year is believable. The James Harden situation in Philadelphia has only worsened since he asked for a trade in June, and his insistence that he won’t play another game for the Sixers hurts the team’s chances of building the best roster possible around Embiid.
Along with Embiid, Donovan Mitchell should still be on New York’s radar. He’s eligible to sign an extension with Cleveland this summer but likely won’t. If the Cavaliers face another first-round exit next year and Mitchell is unwilling to sign an extension, he could be on the move again.
Leon Rose and the Knicks are keeping hold of their assets and waiting for the right time to make their move, so it isn’t surprising that Bleacher Report speculated if New York’s next move is to shop for a superstar.
However, the piece was titled ‘1 Tough Question for Every NBA Franchise.’ Deciding whether or not the Knicks should go all-in on a star isn’t a tough question; it’s the obvious one.
Bleacher Report says ‘tough question’ for Knicks is whether to trade for superstar or not
Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz posed this question for the Knicks:
Now a summer removed from pursuing Donovan Mitchell, should the Knicks be sniffing around other potential stars, or run this group back at least another year?
Damian Lillard and James Harden are two players that have requested trades this summer that have yet to be fulfilled, but neither would fit well on New York’s roster. There’s a reason why the Knicks haven’t been seriously active in trade talks for either player. New York should plan on running it back unless a player such as Joel Embiid requests a trade between now and the start of the 2023-24 season.
The Knicks have made only a few moves this summer, the most notable being signing Donte DiVincenzo in free agency. New York also signed Josh Hart to a four-year extension and traded Obi Toppin to Indiana. It’s still possible that an Evan Fournier trade could materialize, but the Knicks wouldn’t be getting much of anything in return.
Competing in the Eastern Conference will be as challenging as last season, if not tougher. There’s no guarantee that New York will finish with a similar record in 2023-24, but the team is in a good position. Expect the Knicks to engage in trade talks if the right star player becomes available before the February deadline. Other than that, run it back!
